Charles spiro



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- 0. SPIRO.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE. No. 475,623. Patented May 24, 1892.

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(No Modelt) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' C. SPIRO.

TYPE WRITING-MAUHINE.

' .No. 475,623. Patented May 24, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SPIRO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 475,623, dated May 24,1892.

Application filed August 5, I889. Serial No. 319.736. (N0 model.)

The objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointedout in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of the base, universal bail, platen, and adjacent parts with one ink-ribbon spool andother portions shown in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan of theprincipal portions of a type-writerinvolved in my invention. Fig. 3 is adetail in perspective of a portion of the ink-ribbon carrier, showingone spool-operat ing pawl. Fig. 4: is a plan of the ink-ribbon guide andits tension-bar open. Fig. 5 is a perspective of the ribbon-spoolspindle and its spool-retaining latch. Fig. 6 is a front elevation ofthe ribbon-carrier; and Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section of atype-bar bracket and its bearings, a portion of a type bar being mountedtherein.

Like letters refer to like parts in all the fignres.

This invention is intended, primarily, for application to a bartype-writer-that is, one in which the printing-surfaces consist of typesmounted in pivoted type-bars which are suitably connected with a seriesof key-levers, there being a key for each type. The in vention, however,is applicable to other forms of typewriters and is not limited in thisregard.

A represents the base of the machine from which depend hangers A toreceive the rockshaft A which carries the universal bail A that extendsunder the series of key-levers B,

which are connected in any usual mannerwith type-bars 0, arranged in anysuitable manner, so as to bring each type to the printing-point, Fig. 2.A locking-plate D, having pins D, is mounted on the standard D arrangedupon the base A. The portions thus far mentioned are more fullydescribed in my patent, No. 435,7 75, dated September 2, 1890.

From the standard D there project spindles D for the ribbon-spools E.Each spool is provided with a ratchet E, adapted to be operated in amanner hereinafter described by a pawl F. Referring to Fig. 5, thespindle D is screw-threaded or otherwise seated in the standard, andalong its body portion is grooved, as at D, and in the groove isarranged a wire or other spring D In placing a spool upon the spindlethe bore of the spool is first made to pass over the end of the spring Dand then over and along the body of the spindle. The spring will givesufficient obstruction to prevent accidental removal of the spool, butat the same time will permit of its ready removal without directlycontrolling the spring, thus contributing greatly to convenience. Theouter end of the spindle may be slotted to receive a screw-driver orother instrument for inserting the spindle into the standard. Anindicator D is formed on or attached to the bar-lock plate opposite andin front of the printing-point.

From the bail-shaft there extends a rockarm G, which is connected withthe ribboncarrier H by means of a screw G, passing through a slot G2 andthence into the carrier, so that the carrier may be arranged nearer toor farther from the center of the rock-shaft and otherwise disposed, soas to present different portions transversely of the ribbon to be actedupon by the type.

Although I do not limit my invention to KI H ribbon is conducted overone spool E to the carrier around the turning-bar on one arm to theturning'bar of the opposite arm and back to the other spool. Each arm Hcarries a pawl F to wind the ribbon on the spool with which the pawlco-operates. Now by providing devices for throwing one of the pawls Fout of and the other into mesh with its adjacent ratchet the ribbon-feedis automatically reversed, so that when the end of the ribbon on onespool is reached the direction of the ribbon-feed, which is intermittentor step-by-step, is changed, so that no manipulation of the ribbon isrequired after it is once placed in the machine until it is worn out. Inthis construction, as before stated,it is desirable to cause one of thepawls F to mesh with its ratchet when the other of the pawls F is putout of mesh with its ratchet. It will be noted that the formation of thepawls renders their free ends comparatively heavy, so that While one islifted from the ratchet by the wire L, as hereinafter described, theother will, by reason of the weight of its free end, fall by gravityinto mesh with its ratchet. Ordinarily a gravit -pawl will mesh with theratchet of the ribbon-spool with sufficient accuracy tocauseapractically satisfactory feed of the ribbon, because it would notbe a fatal objection if the ribbon were not moved along after each andevery impression of a type, for it is wellknown that ink-ribbons willgive a large number of satisfactory impressions without changing itsposition with reference to the printing-point; but if it be desired toinsure a positive and absolutely regular intermittent feed of the ribbonafter each impression then a spring, as E Fig. 3, may be connected withthe pawl, as shown, or in any other suitable manner for the saidpurpose. 7

It is advisable and preferable to maintain a constant tension in theribbon at points between the two turning-bars. For this purpose Iprovide a tension-bar J, which is pivoted at J and provided witha.countersink J to receive the end of an adjusting-screw J In placing aribbon upon the carrier the tension-bar is swung upon its pivot, asclearly shown in Fig. 4, out of the way, and is afterward moved over theribbon (see Fig. 3) when its pressure upon the ribbon is regulated bythe screw J There being a tension-bar on each arm of the carrier it isapparent that the tension of the ribbon is constant. and perfectlysubject to control throughout all portions thereof which are adjacent tothe printing-point. The devices employed in this instanceforautomatieally reversing the ribbonfeed comprise a rod K, passingthrough the standard D and projecting above and below the same. In theupper end awireL or other similar device is passed above the standardand is retained therein by a screw L. The ribbon at the point betweenthe tension-bar J and the spool is guided over the wire L on each sideof the rod K, so that When' the ribbon is wound almost wholly upon onespool, and therefore nearly wholly unwound from the opposite spool, thetension in the ribbon between the tension-bar and the empty or nearlyempty spool is increased so that the wire L is drawn toward thetension-bar. These movements of the two parts or free ends of the wire Lserve the purpose of throwing out of mesh one of the pawls F and puttinginto mesh the opposite'pawl F with their adjacent ratchets on theribbon-spool, so that each intermittently becomes the winding-up spoolof the pair. A spring-detent M is adapted to take into the lower teethof the spool-ratchet and is thrown into and out of mesh by a wire M,secured to and projecting from the opposite sides of the rod K in asimilar manner to the wire L. Each of the pawls F is cut away, as at F,on its under side, so as to be operative notwithstanding the presence ofthe wire L beneath the cut-away portion. When said wire is shifted, asabove described, it comes into contact with the thicker portion of thepawl near its free end and raises the same out of mesh with its ratchet.The cut-away portion permits of an oscillation of the ribbon-carrier,and therefore of a reciprocation of the pawl F over one or more teeth ofthe ratchet E for the purpose of rotating the ribbon-spool.

Referring to Fig. 1, the position of the parts being shown in full linesat rest, Whenever a key-lever D is depressed the axis or plane of theuniversal bail and the rock-arm G is changed to occupy the positionindicatedby dotted line X, while that of the key-lever is represented bythe dotted line Y. In this movement of these parts the carrier is throwntoward the platen intothe position indicated by the dotted line Z. lhisbrings the portion of the ink-ribbon which is between the twoturning-bars, to the position indicated in Fig. 2 by the dotted line W,Fig. 2-that is, over the printing-point. By changing the adjustment ofthe lower end of the carrier-that is, its position of attachment to therock-arm G the distance beyond the printing-point which the carrier andthe leading edge of the ribbon travels may be varied, so as to cause atype to come into contact with the ribbon at different points in itswidth. This feature of adjustment, although secondary, is quiteimportant, as it permits of a longer use of aribbon than wouldbe thecaseif it were omitted.

. 'lheribbon-carrier naturally counterbalances the universal bail, sothat it requires but very little extra pressure to operate the same andit acquires comparatively very slight momentum, and the consequence isthat it may be very readily reciprocated and does not atfect or resultin a reduction of the speed at which the machine may be operated.

N represents the paper-guide, which is a bail pivoted to the carriageand serves to direct the upper portion of the paper upon the platen O. Ihave devised and applied to the guide indicators N, of such constructionand manner of application as will permit of their being arranged at anydesired point on the guide. One or more of the indicators may be used,so that when printing columns an indicator will point out thestarting-point for each column, and this without referring to theportions of the page already printed or to any scales, as the indicatorsare constantly adjacent to the printing-point and line of printing. Theindicators N consist of any suitable materialsuch as, for example, sheetmetal-bent at one end, as at N to embrace one edge of the guide andpointed at the other end N and, if desired, though not essential,projected beyond the edge of the guide. Other well-known constructionsmay be adapted to connect the indicator or indicators movably to theguide, and it may be to any part occupying substantially the samepositionas the guide N with relation to the platen and theprinting-point thereof.

Experience has shown that the weakest part or the part or parts mostliable to deterioration by use and the part giving to a typewritingmachine its term of practical satisfactory Work is the joint of thetype-bar. Various constructions have been employed in the bar, itstrunnions or pivots,and the bearings for the same, arranged in atype-bracket or a type-bar supporting part of the machine. Thenecessarily limited dimensions of the parts involved on account of thenumber of bars required necessitates lightness in structure at the verypoint of the machine which has to do the most rapid, accurate, andcontinuous labor. It therefore is a material advantage to provide apivoted construction for the type-bar which shall be not only strong,serviceable, and accurate, but at the same time compact and accessiblefor adjustment.

I accomplish the above-indicated objects by the construction now to bedescribed.

Referring to Fig. 7, P represents a type-bar bracket, which may be ofany usual construction, per se. In this instance it consists of aU-shaped plate having vertical arms P, perforated, as at P for thereception of bushings B If preferred, the bushings may be made integralwith the bracket; but when it is desired to construct the bushings ofany harder material then it is preferable to make the bushing separate,seating it in the perforation either by screw-threading or upsetting orin any other well-known manner. The type-bar O is perforated and theedges of its perforations adapted to the contour of the bushing, andfinally a bolt or screw I is passed through the bushings and thetypebar. Now, to give the longest possible extent of threaded connectionof the bolt with the bushing I make the bushing which receives thethreaded end of the bolt thicker than the opposite bushing. By thisconstruction and by reason of the smallness of dimensions of the partsinvolved I obviate the stripping of the minute threads of the bolt inthe act of adjusting the bearings of the bracket and bar to each other.In this instance the edges of the perforations of the type-bar areconcave to adapt themselves to the convex bearing of the bushing. Theseparts, however, may when stiff or heavy type-bars are employed beconstructed more in the nature of a conical bearing, the edges of thehole in the type-bar being simply reamed to produce a conical surfacewhich is straight transversely orin cross section.

I have designated the ink-ribbon carrier herein shown and described as amovable ink-ribbon carrier, and I desire to be under-' stood as meaninga carrier which is movable, whether the ink-ribbon which it carries hasa step-by-step movement or not.

D is the shield which runs across the entire carriage and is fastenedthereto on the risers D. It extends as far forward as the front edge ofthe ribbon and curves backward to conform to the contour of the platenwith which it is nearly in contact. This shield performs an importantfunction, as it saves the paper from being soiled, andat the same timealso serves as a guide for the paper after it projects above thefeed-bands D.

What I claim is 1. In a type-Writer, an ink-ribbon carrier connectedwith an operative part of the typewriter, to be reciprocated in a planeextending from the platen to the ribbon-spools and arranged to pass intoand out of the path of the type and over and adjacent to theprinting-point of the machine, and means for conducting'the unusedportions of the ink-ribbon in directions at right angles to the usedportions, wherebya maximum of printed matter on the platen is constantlyin view, as set forth.

2. A movable ink-ribbon carrier for typewriters, having provisions forholding a portion of the ribbon parallel with the platen and portions atright angles thereto, and connections whereby the carrier is adapted tobe reciprocated in a horizontal plane to move the parallel portion toand from the platen in lines parallel thereto, as set forth.

3. A pivoted ink-ribbon carrier directly and adj ustably connected withthe bail and moving between the platen and ribbon-spools, as set forth.

4. A movable ink ribbon carrier directly connected with the bail andcarrying the ribbon-spool ratchet-pawls, as set forth.

5. A movable ink ribbon carrier adj ustably connected with a bail,whereby different portions transversely of the ribbon are presented atthe printing-point, substantially as specified.

6. A movable ink-ribbon carrier, in combination with a bail andconnected directly thereto to the side of the pivot opposite thekey-engaging portion of the bail, as set forth.

7. A pivoted ink-ribbon carrier, combined with a bail and connectedthereto to the side of the pivot opposite the key-engaging portion ofthe bail, as set forth.

8. An ink-ribbon carrier provided with diagonally-disposed turning-barsand pawls, substantially as specified.

9. An ink-ribbon carrier provided with turning-bars arranged diagonallyto change the direction of the ink-ribbon right angularly on either sideof the printing-point and pawls beneath said carrier, substantially asspecified.

10. An ink-ribbon carrier provided with turning-bars and withtension-bars beneath the turning-bars, substantially as specified.

11. The combination of a movable ink-ribhon carrier, a platen, andribbon-spools, the carrier being arranged between the platen and spoolsand provided with tension devices, substantially as specified.

12. A movable ink-ribbon carrier provided with pawls, in combinationwith ribbon-spools provided with ratchets operatively connected gitlhthe carrier-pawls, substantially as speci- 13. The combination of aplaten, a movable ink-ribbon carrier arranged adjacent to theprinting-point on the platen and provided with ribbon-turning bars andadjustable ribbon-tension bars, substantially as sprecified.

14. A movable ink-ribbon carrier, in combination with a step-by-stepfeed mechanism and a bar, rod, or wire arranged in the path of theribbon adjacent to its spools and operatively connected with theribbon-feed mech anism, substantially as specified.

15. The combination of a movable ink-ribho n carrier, a ribbon, and itsstep-by-step feed mechanism comprising pawls, and a bar ar ranged in thepath of the ribbon and beneath the pawls, substantially as specified.

16. The combination, with the ribbon and its feed mechanism, comprisingpawls having cut-away portions, of a movable ribbon-carrier and a bararranged beneath the paWls and ribbons,wherehy said bar is inoperativelyconnected with one of the pawls for the purpose of permitting said pawlto perform the feed function, substantially as specified.

17. A guide for a ribbon, provided with a pivoted tension-bar and withan adjustingscrew for regulating the tension.

18. The combination, with the key-levers and universal hail of atype-writer, of a ribbon-carrier connected with the bail to the side ofthe pivot opposite the key-engaging por- Lion thereof to partake of themotion of the bail produced by depressing the key-levers, substantiallyas specified.

19. In a type-writer, an ink-ribbon carrier provided with diagonalturning bars and means for maintaining a constant tension in the ribbonbetween the turning-bars, as set forth.

20. A type-bar bracket having firmly secured therein hearings, one ofwhichis thicker than the other, substantially as specified.

21. The combination, in a type-writer and with the carriage and platenthereof, of a shield running across the entire length of said carriageand fastened to the risers D and extending to the front edge of theribbon and at its mid-length curved to conform to the contour of theplaten, with which it is nearly in contact, substantially as specified.

22. In a type-writer, an ink-ribbon carrier providedwithturning-barsaudspringtensionbars, substantially as described.

23. In a type-writer, an ink-ribbon carrier provided withoppositely-disposed diagonal turning-bars and adjustable tension-bars,as set forth.

24. In a type-writer, an ink-ribbon carrier formed withoppositely-disposed diagonal turning-bars and with pivoted tension-bars,as set forth. I

25. In a type-writer. an ink-ribbon carrier provided withoppositely-disposed diagonal turning-bars and tension-bars pivotallyconnected therewith and adjustable thereon to regulate the tension ofthe ribbon, as set forth.

26. In a type-writer, a rihbon-carriermounted directly on the universalhail, substantially as described.

. 27. In a ribbon-carrier, standards having tables and tension-barssecured to the tables, substantially as specified.

28. In a ribbon-carrier, two standards having oppositely-disposedtables, each provided with oppositely-disposed diagonal guidingbars andtension-bars secured one to each table and constructed and arranged toyieldingly rest against the same, substantially as specified.

29. In a ribbon-carrier and in combination with the tables thereof,yielding tension-bars and means for regulating the pressure thereofagainst the table and an interposed ribbon, substantially as specified.

30. The combination, with the ribbon-spools and pawl-andratchetmechanism thereof, of an oscillating shaft having radial arms extendingbeneath the pawl, and a ribbon-carrier, substantially as specified.

31. The combination, with the ribbon-carrier and ribbon-spools, of anoscillating shaft having radial arms extending beneath the pawl of thespool-rotating mechanism and beneath the ribbon between the spools andthe carrier, substantially as specified.

32. The combination, with the pawl-andratchet mechanism, of the ribbon-spools, detents having projections formed with inclined faces, and anoscillating shaft having arms adapted to hear on the detents, and meansconnected with said shaft for oscillating the same so as to alternatelydisconnect said detents from the ratchet of the ribbonspools,substantially as specified.

33. In a type-Writer, a ribbon-carrier connected directly to a universalbail and extended to and movable over the printingpoint of the platen,substantially as specified.

34. The combination of a movable ink-ribbon carrier, a ribbon, and itsstep-by-step feed mechanism comprisinggravitatingpawls, and a bararranged in the path of the ribbon and beneath the pawls, substantiallyas specified. 10

In testimony whereof I aflfiix my signature in presence of twoWitnesses.

CHARLES SPIRO. Witnesses:

JULIUS E. LEVY, LEOPOLD STARK.

